Mitchell Mausers???

[amadeus76]

New here so bare with me...

So I'm looking at adding a Mauser to my collection. I missed the boat on Springfield 1903's, and K98's and Gewehr 98's all seem to either be shot out, beat up, or way too much money for what they are. Still, I want a Mauser rifle and so I'm looking at the M48 before they dry up or the price jumps to 'WTF' rates too. I'm looking at Mitchell's Mausers but I know they have a reputation for altering markings. That isn't really an issue for me as an M48 isn't something I'd get for historical significance the way I would a Gew 98 or a Springfield 1903. I'd use it for a range gun and a deer rifle. I mostly just want a quality and accurate military Mauser action, and Mitchell's Mausers are supposed to be as close to new as you can get.

For those of you with experince, what do you think of the M48 in general and Mitchell's Mausers rifles in terms of quality and accuracy?

Thanks.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[AFJon]

I Like my M48. Funny it seems to shoot better with Yugo surplus than new made ammo. Looks like you could have an FFL order you one from SOG.

MAUSER M48 RIFLES 8MM - CR Longguns - Longguns - Southern Ohio Gun

[Sarge]

Since you seem to have an interest in Mauser, why not get an RC K98k? Especially since you want a shooter. These rifles are after all original parts that the rusies cleaned up and reassembled with no attention to matching numbers. they then decided they wanted them to be matching so they force matched the parts - typical Dumb-*** ruskies!
Most of the RCs are in VG+ cond with good bores and make excellent shooters.
Personally, I'd stay the hell as far away from a mitchels Mauser as I could get!!!
Sarge

[micharl]

Both M48 and M48A have been plentiful this year from several dealers. AIM Surplus had them available in three grades for awhile.

Most recently, Allan's Armory has posted a few of each, and it appears a couple are still available. http://www.allans-armory.com/aaresult.php?PageId=32

I have done business with Allan several times and have been perfectly satisfied. Good luck.

Mike

[amadeus76]

Both M48 and M48A have been plentiful this year from several dealers. AIM Surplus had them available in three grades for awhile.

Most recently, Allan's Armory has posted a few of each, and it appears a couple are still available. http://www.allans-armory.com/aaresult.php?PageId=32

I have done business with Allan several times and have been perfectly satisfied. Good luck.

Mike

Thanks for the link, I got the rifle in today... Looks pretty nice overall. A few marks and discoloration on the wood stock, and the floor plate is stamped ugly (at least compared to most I've seen) but I can't complain.

Sadly I'm still unpacking from our move so I may not get around to cleaning the cosmoline and shooting it for a week or so.

[micharl]

Thanks for the link, I got the rifle in today... Looks pretty nice overall. A few marks and discoloration on the wood stock, and the floor plate is stamped ugly (at least compared to most I've seen) but I can't complain.

Sadly I'm still unpacking from our move so I may not get around to cleaning the cosmoline and shooting it for a week or so.

Good for you. If you're also new to cosmoline, there are good and better and bad and worse ways to deal with it.

The last couple of times I used low heat to remove the "heavy" stuff. Using the rifle-length cardboard shipping box, I directed the flow from a counter-top bathroom heater into one end, set the dial thermostat to cycle so the box internal temp was around 120F. Let the rifle inside "heat soak" for about an hour or so. Wipe it down and it's ready for disassembly. You can put the wood back in the cardboard "oven" for awhile and see if more cosmoline seeps out before using any kind of oil finish. Might be more, might not. You're still left with detail cleaning, but this gets it to the point where you can handle it easily.

Good luck, and thank you for your military service.

Mike

[amadeus76]

Thanks all... I will take a look at those sites and importers.

What kind of accuracy can I expect from these rifles?

[micharl]

What kind of accuracy can I expect from these rifles?

I've not heard anyone suggest the Yugo M24/M48's are in the same league as Swedish or Czech-made Persian Mausers. Perhaps with a careful handload it could be?? I just use mine to ring steel targets at 100+ yards using surplus ammo.

They have the intermediate length action, tiny bit shorter than a K98, but I think the Yugo is fairly well-made.

Mike

[Aragorn243]

Good luck finding an RC. They are all gone and have been for over a year. Nothing wrong with Mitchells M48's except the price. You can find one in similar condition for less from numerous other importers. I have a Mitchells that I picked up second hand for the going rate of an M48 and it's in un-issued condition. 24/47's are also available still and Turk Mausers are available on the second hand market and are probably the least expensive right now.
'

[Aragorn243]

Accuracy is going to depend on the condition of the bore and the shooter but should be no difference from any other 8mm rifle in the same condition They are well made rifles.